Alabama Has Contacted 11/18 of Ohio State's 2014 Recruiting Pledges

Cleveland.com ran a series this week called "Breaking Bama," a three-day look at Ohio State's quest to take down college football's reigning champion...

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Kyle Berger was committed to Ohio State for a month when his phone rang with an unknown number on the caller ID. He picked up to find Alabama football coach Nick Saban on the line, calling to inform the St. Ignatius linebacker that he now had a scholarship offer from the Crimson Tide.

The conversation was short. Berger told him that he was completely devoted to his oral commitment to Ohio State, thanked him for his interest, and both parties moved on.

... “I talked to Marcelys Jones about Alabama, and he even gets that sense that they want to beat Ohio State,” Berger said. “I feel like it is going to be an ongoing battle between Ohio State and Alabama off the field with recruiting. Coach Meyer and Coach Saban are going to butt heads.”

Given that I wouldn't be mad about Urban Meyer putting out feelers on kids committed to other programs, I'm not going to fake-outrage about this. In fact, I think it's a great sign about Ohio State's recruiting when Nick Saban and Alabama are interested in the same kids, and it's even better when those kids slam the door in Saban's face.

A previous interview by Urban admitted he has made calls to young men already verbally committed that are high on the list to offer a scholarship at some point. But he added, if they say "no, I'm solid" then he said he backs off. This came up early when he became our coach after Bielema started to whine I think. I'm not a Saban "lover", or even a "liker", but if that's what he's doing I have absolutely no problem with it.
May the best recruiters win. <walhhhh hahhhhaahhahaha > <==Halloween voice here

I believe the UfM has said that he has no problem contacting kids committed elsewhere just to gauge their interest in tOSU. He said that if the player is not interested he doesn't waste anymore time on them but if they do want to hear what he has to say he will do what needs to be done to bring them over to the good guys. So in my humble opinion...if we can do so can they.

I don't have a problem with it either. Actually, I like it. When I find out a recruit has committed to the Buckeyes, I like to look at where they had offers from. If Alabama is on the list, it makes it even better.
Shazier said he was really close to choosing LSU and had an offer from Alabama but he chose wisely! :)

I also wonder if some of the football factories use the other school's offers as a way to scout that player even more? I mean if Meyer/Saban/Stoops etc see enough in a kid that it warrants a scholly offer then theres probably a good chance that the kid has the capability to be a stud on the field.

This would make for a good movie, or book. Love how Saban and Meyer can "compete" against each other without even playing on the field. When you look at how Urban engages the sports media so positively, and how he sells the program in such a positive fashion, it is no surprise Saban is cherry picking Meyer's "funnel".
I'm sure it's a no-brainer for a recruit to agree to play for Bama, especially if they are from the South. But if you are not from the South, do you really want to toil for I-Always-Look-Like-I-Just-Smelled-Something-Bad man (even when he is holding the Crystal Football), and get ground up in "the process"? Better to join the Ohio State family and shine for "Dad" Meyer - he's a guy you just want to do your best for. Just don't tell the recruits about Coach Mariotti's workouts.....

it is funny though that these kids aren't fast rising, NEW recruits that haven't been heard of yet. Most of them have, in fact, been to The Opening! So I laugh when I hear that from Berger about an offer over the phone like that so late in the process.
So it has to be Saban instigating or something. I wonder if this might be in response to Urban contacting any Bama recruits. It might not have come out yet, you know, because Urban is so evil and a cheater <insert UF media hack>.

I think it's Saban having the attitude that Bama has won so much and he's thinking he could just offer anyone and they will accept because it's Bama.
But the thing is these kids follow the tabloids and they know about Bama being notorious at over signing and their trickery.

Have talked with a player who played for Saban at The University of Toledo during his brief stint here who went on to play for a while in the NFL. Saban took them to The California Bowl and made them winners. He said whenever his old college mates get together, to a man, they all talk about that time being the least fun they ever had at any level playing football. Said Satan Saban would demean players & coaches alike. Had one asst. coach reduced to tears during a practice.
All that being said 'Bama is stacking NC like wood and needs to taken out. UfM is just the dude to do it. Game on. Go Bucks!

This is not surprise at all. Saban has done an admirable job luring talent from the midwest to Bama, and so he most definitely is on the heels of Urban (and probably Hoke too). This is part of the game, and it doesn't bother me at all. Bert, on the other hand...